Re: Verse reading–John 19:28-42 (day seven)
“It is finished”–v 28. Jesus is the full revelation of God. He is also the full revelation of man. If we see who God is by looking at Christ, we also see who we will be. See 1 John 3:2. The new Adam. The first-fruits of a restored race! “I gave you an example”, said Jesus in John 13. Our task is to imitate His pattern, follow Him, do what He did. By doing so, we discover our true selves! One category of Christ’s character is to finish God’s assigned task. Do you know people who once committed themselves to follow Christ, but who now are far away, cold, distracted and disinterested? Sadly, so do I. Who among us doesn’t feel this soul danger? “They had no firm root in themselves, but were only temporary” reports the Bible of some who joyfully received Christ early–Mark 4:16. No argument, Christ finished His work. Those who follow Him do the same.
Month: February 2015
Asking for help
Re: Verse reading–John 19:28-42 (day six)
“Jesus said, ‘I am thirsty’ “–v 28. No words describe the humility of Jesus. After hours of abuse and ridicule, His pride does not prevent Him from asking for help from the guards standing nearby. I am certain that I would not reacted the same way. I would have been furious and stoic. I would have refused to make myself vulnerable, to risk further rejection. But Jesus needed a drink in order for his testimony to be heard. He wanted to shout “It is finished” with a loud voice. To do so, He needed to ask for help. Are we too proud to do the same? Do we sometimes pretend to “have it all together” at great cost to the task that God has given us to do? “He humbled Himself by becoming obedient, even to death on the cross”– Philippians 2:8. The most amazing evidence of His humility? He was willing to ask for help.
Living in Tension
Re: Verse reading–John 19:28-42 (day five)
John 19 “And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.” Luke 9 58 “The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”
In Luke Jesus says the phrase “lay His head”. John uses the phrase “Jesus bowed His head”. Same Greek words in both verses. No doubt John remembers Jesus’ words in Luke as He taught about the sacrifice and realities of knowing and following Jesus on the earth. Mission and Ministry are more important than earthly comforts and treasures.
John observes that Jesus found the place that He did not have during His life on earth, when He gave up His life. Culture and earthly desires fly in the face a soul that loves the Lord and yearns for Heaven. We live constantly in this tension- To embrace the mission and journey on earth, and also to be in a place of ultimate peace and rest. Jesus models the perfect pattern for holding onto both ends of this rope.
Truth
Re: Verse reading–John 19:28-42 (day four) Verse 36 says, “For these things came to pass to fulfill the Scripture…” God’s Word is truth. There is no promise, no principle, no prophecy in God’s Word that is not true or will not come about. Isaiah 55:11 says, “ So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; it will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.” Everything about Jesus and His life had been prophesied and planned…His bones weren’t broken, His side was pierced, His body was laid in a new, borrowed tomb. We can trust God’s Word! Can you think of any promises in Scripture that could apply to you? Can you identify any principle that you need to live by? Are you living your life in the truth of God’s Word? It applies to our lives, today, in 2015…just as true as when it was written. Live in His truth!
Testimony
Re: Verse reading—John 19:28-42 (day three)
“The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true.” The testimony of the church is that the Bible is the written word of God, infallible and trustworthy. But the Bible didn’t just drop in from heaven. Rather, “men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.” That is to say, it came to us through the eyes, ears, and minds of human beings. It’s for human beings because it’s by human beings. It’s what they heard. It’s what they saw. It’s what they knew. It’s the truth. The glory of the sovereign, triune God’s creative, redemptive work of unspeakable grace got written in a way that human beings can read it and understand it and find salvation through it. The Bible: the mysteries of heaven revealed through a voice we recognize as one of our own. Trust it.
The Last Word
Re: Verse reading–John 19:28-42 (day two)
Complete, finished. It is no coincidence that scripture records seven statements of Christ on the cross. Seven is the number of perfection, of completion. When Jesus uttered these words, it did not carry the weight of agony that he had cried earlier when he said “why have you forsaken me?” No, indeed, when the Savior of mankind uttered “It is finished”, he was unilaterally declaring that the goal of his incarnation was now completed. All the prophecy that had been written about the Messiah was now fulfilled. He came divinely, lived and suffered perfectly, and now the task was complete. With as much anguish as his previous thoughts carried, this word was one of absolute victory. Thanks be to God!
Unfinished Business
Re: Verse reading–John 19:28-42 (day one)
“When he had received the drink, Jesus said, ‘It is finished.’ ” It is one of my favorite Bible stories. No words adequately describe this holy moment. John remembers the last word coming from the Savior’s lips. Finished! (It is actually just one word in Greek) His assignment from God was completely accomplished. Jesus’ heart knew a deep satisfaction. Were these words spoken/shouted with a smile through parched and bloody lips? Likely. All of us can hope the same words will be ours at the end. Even so, we must be careful lest the case be overstated. The Lord is still VERY ACTIVE in our world! Who intercedes for the saints? The Lord! (see Hebrews 7:25) Who opens hearts to hear the word? (see Acts 16:14) Who adds to the church those who are being saved? (see Acts 2:47) Until His glorious return, the Lord will be actively involved with the world! He has unfinished business with us.
His sharp knife
Re: Verse reading—John 15:1-17 (day seven)
” You have already been cleansed (pruned) by the word I have spoken to you”–v 3. Truth hurts! Sometimes. Maybe this is why the Bible describes the Glorious Christ as having a “sharp two-edged sword coming out of his mouth”–Revelation 1:16. What He has to say is usually not pleasant to hear! In another place, the Bible describes itself with the same words. “The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword”–Hebrews 4:12. None of us should be surprised, then, if hearing Christ is uncomfortable. The disciples had certainly experienced this discomfort. His words had pruned their attitudes and values, challenged their unbelief and self-centeredness. In the same way, His word convicts us and calls us to reach toward the eternal purposes of Holy God. Comfortable? No. Loving? Yes. He uses His sharp knife to cut away all that is inconsistent with His glory and our good. And all the people said, “Ouch”!